Los Angeles Times:
  • President Obama suggested at a town hall event Wednesday night that one way to shave medical costs is to stop expensive and ultimately futile procedures performed on people who are about to die and don't stand to gain from the extra care.

    In a nationally televised event at the White House, Obama said families need better information so they don't unthinkingly approve "additional tests or additional drugs that the evidence shows is not necessarily going to improve care."

    He added: "Maybe you're better off not having the surgery, but taking the painkiller."

In other words, the government is going to decide who lives, who gets treatment and who dies.